Dalefield expect close game

A close game is in prospect when Dalefield and Victoria University meet in a Wellington premier division women's hockey match at the National Hockey Stadium in Wellington tomorrow.
The first round clash between these two teams resulted in a 2-2 draw and they share second place behind Eastern Hutt on the points table although Dalefield does have the better goal difference They have scored 21 goals and conceded 12 while University have scored 19 goals and conceded 13.
Dalefield will be without Georgia Burton tomorrow after she was injured during the 8-0 blitzing of Karori last weekend and her playmaking skills will be missed. She made several penetrating runs during the first half of the Karori match, impressing with her speed and ball control. Fortunately for Dalefield though they do have good depth in their current squad and even Burton's absence shouldn't detract from the attacking capabilities of players like Ana May Playle, Tara Hall and Charlotte Meo, all of whom also stamped their authority on the Karori game. Dalefield coach Rochelle Retter said she would be looking for her side to use the pace of that trio to get in behind a University defence which has appeared shaky at times this season. And to that end the service given them by the likes of the in-form Amanda Pottinger in midfield will be a big factor in the end result.
"The key for us is to expose any weaknesses in their defence, we have to really hit them hard in that area," Retter said.
Dalefield's preparation for this game was affected by the power cut which struck parts of Wairarapa, including Clareville, on Tuesday evening. Their training time was halved as a consequence , something which frustrated Retter because game plans could not be fully practised.
For the Dalefield men's team their Wellington premier division match tomorrow, also against Victoria University at the National Hockey Stadium, is being viewed with a "must win" mentality. Currently equal with University at the bottom of the points table anything less than a victory probably won't be good enough if Dalefield are to challenge for a semi-final berth later in the season.
"We have to get the maximum points from this one, that's all there is to it," Dalefield coach Mark Fenwick said. "It's win or nothing as far as we are concerned."
Fenwick is confident too that if Dalefield can show the same intensity as they did in their narrow 2-0 defeat by Northern United last weekend they cannot only beat University but beat them well. The return of Daniel Juno who actually played for University last year- was an obvious plus for them and this weekend they will also have the services of Jay Hodgkiss, a versatile player who can slot in at fullback or in the halves.
n Meanwhile, trialists for the Wairarapa under-11 girls hockey squad are to attend a further trial to be held at Clareville on Friday, June 17, starting at 3.30pm. They are: Georgia Wilson, Latesha Smith, Mikiaela Bird, Toyah Churton, Jessica Dewhurst, Alexia Wales, Jaimee Hicks-Wilton, Monique Edwards, Kimberley Allan, Kelsey Linton, Emma Smithy, Emma Brown, Katie McAnulty, Hannah Lang, Bridget Mossman, Sarah Marfell, Kate Warren, Kate Nelson, Petra Hall, Charlotte Lovell, Ashleigh Long, Laila Wylie, Tia Rutene, Paide Brewster, Victoria Draper, Brittany Whitehead, Antionette Pilosi, Paige Blundell, Sophia Nielsen, Harriet Gibson, Kimberley Cryer, Heni Metcalfe, Hanna Whitehead, Bridey Kieirnan, Makaylah Julian. Players unable to attend should contact either Chris Hicks (3795984) and Catherine Smith (0211019151).
The trialists for the Wairarapa under-11 boys team will hold their second trial at the Clareville turf on June 17, starting at 5pm. Contact there is Jesse Workman (0274258784).